Hawkesbury - Penrith - Hills District - Blue Mountains Ph: 02 4577 4600
Fabric Care & Cleaning Hints
Spot Cleaning
Treat spills and stains as soon as possible. Gently scrape any soil or mop any liquid from the surface of the fabric. Use of soap or detergent with water should be approached with caution since overzealous rinsing to remove soap residue may result in over-wetting, water marking and possible wetting of substructure (this may create other stains or damage products).
For non oil-based stains
Use warm water and non toilet soaps which do not contain optical brighteners (consider Velvet soap, Lux Flakes or Softly). Mix a small amount of soap and warm water solution and apply to the stain, rubbing gently. Blot dry with a clean towel. Apply cool water (preferably rain or distilled water) and blot dry again. Then with a hair dryer working out from the centre of the stain, dry quickly to prevent rings forming. It is generally preferable to clean whole panels of fabric in this way rather than trying to spot clean specific areas.
For oil-based stains
Following the same basic guidelines as above, apply a proprietary brand solvent based cleaner and try to clean generally in panels rather than spot cleaning specific areas. A helpful industry 'secret' is for spot removal of oil based biro marks by the application of a conventional hairspray.
Grease (including hair grease & oil)
Scrape away excess if necessary and then dab repeatedly at the stain with dry-cleaning fluid. If any stain remains, go over the area with a lukewarm mixture of liquid detergent and water. Always make sure you use a clean portion so you don't put the stain back in the fabric. Last, go over the area with a clean cloth moistened with cool clear water.
Urine
It is especially important to treat this stain right away, before the urine dries. Otherwise, the urine may react with the fabric dyes and cause permanent discolouration. First, dab at the stain with a solution of white vinegar and water and blot dry. Then apply a mixture of liquid detergent and cool water, blotting frequently and with a dry cloth to avoid saturating the fabric. Finally, dab the spot with clear, cool water and clot thoroughly.
Milk and Vomit
Blot or scrape away the excess, then take a clean soft cloth and blot. Apply cool clear water to the area, blotting frequently. Then blot with a detergent solution to which you've added a small amount of ammonia. Blot dry and wait a few minutes. Go over the area with dry-cleaning fluid, blot dry. Finally, blot the area lightly with a cloth moistened with rubbing alcohol.
Alcholic Beverages
After the moisture has been blotted up, dab at the stain with a clean cloth dampened in rubbing alcohol. Then blot repeatedly with liquid detergent mixed with cool water. Dab again with clear cool water and blot dry.
Ice Cream
Scrape away excess and apply cool water mixed with liquid detergent, blotting frequently with a dry cloth so as not to saturate the fabric. Let dry and then go over any remaining stain with dry-cleaning fluid. Blot dry.
Soft drinks, Sweets and Syrups
Sponge with water, add warm glycerine and work into stain. Flush out with water and dry.
Water Spots
Blot thoroughly and then dampen the entire spot with clear white vinegar. Wait a few minutes. When the area is dry, moisten it again with clear water, blotting with a dry cloth after every application to the damp cloth. If the fabric has a pile, brush in the direction of the pile when it is dry.
Chewing Gum
Rub an ice cube over the gum to harden it, then scrape off the excess with a dull knife. To remove what's left, use dry-cleaning fluid.
Fruit and Juices
After excess is blotted up or scraped away, blot the spot with cool water. If a stain remains, add liquid detergent and a drop of vinegar to the water. Dab the spot with this mixture and blot until there is no trace of a stain. Then go over the area lightly with clear water to remove traces of vinegar.
Chocolate (and other soft candy)
This is a combination of greasy/non-greasy stain. Scrape excess away, then go over the spot with cool water mixed with a liquid detergent. Blot thoroughly and then clean with dry-cleaning fluid.
Coffee and Tea
Sponge with warm water. Apply warm glycerine. Leave for 30 minutes. Flush out with water and dry quickly.
Iodine
Rub with cut lemon before sponging with warm water. Apply a small quantity of detergent with a clean cloth. Blot stain then remove soapy residue with cloth wrung out in warm water and white vinegar solution (1/3 vinegar to 2/3 water)
Cosmetics
Sponge with warm water. Apply warm Glycerine. Leave for 30 minutes. Flush out with water and dry quickly.
Blood
Mix 1 teaspoon of ammonia in a cup of cold water and apply it sparingly to the spot. Blot with a clean towel. Repeat the procedure until the spot is gone. Then dab the area with cool water and blot. Wait 15 minutes then moisten the area again with white distilled vinegar. Blot thoroughly with a dry towel.
Ink
Moisten with warm glycerine. Leave for 10 minutes. Apply liquid detergent and brush lightly. Flush out with water and dry quickly.
Shoe Polish
Apply liquid paraffin to loosen the stain, then sponge with dry-cleaning fluid.
VISIT US
By Appointment Only 635 George Street South Windsor NSW 2756
OPENING HOURS
Monday - Thursday + 9 AM - 5 PM Friday + 9 AM - 4:30 PM Saturday + 9 AM - 1 PM
